Impact of small ditches (Dhobha) in rainfed areas in Dumka district of Santhal Pargana, Jharkhand-A case study

In Santhal Pargana, Jharkhand, most of the farmers are not able to meet sufficient food for their families due to lack of awareness and modern technologies. Although there is sufficient rainfall and the area has rich natural resources. With an objective to make the water available, as water conserving structures like small ditches was introduced and impact was analyzed. From the study it was found that the small ditches in the medium and low land was most successful with 1000 ft m⁻³ storing water. Area irrigated was also enhanced in villages of Dumka District, Jharkhand. Area irrigated increased about 618.86% and 421.89%, respectively in rabi and kharif season. In all selected village of project area of Dumka district of Jharkhand the area irrigated increased from 0.53 ha to 3.28 ha in rabi season and from 1.07 ha to 4.51 ha in kharif season. Small ditches were used for vegetable cultivation in winter and summer seasons. It was noticed that ditches were more useful in the low land than medium and upland ecology.